Tribu Fornoles

Many are called, but few are Chosen...

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:54:56 GMT

Dear Jack,

Many hours later after our conversation this morning, the questions you said you asked Lolo while visiting their grave at Loyola (I'm sure he listened to you with amusement; half-smile with a twinkle in his eyes) kept replaying in my head.

"Why me?" - you asked him. You felt that this path is not for you. That you're too rebellious, too wild, too materialistic, too disobedient, impatient and unteachable.

You asked God the same thing. He and Lolo must have been conversing - because the answer have been the same. You felt it in your heart - the best compass we have. And that's the reason why you're struggling with the answer to your question - because you've known the answer all along!

It actually amuses me too, since I just now realized that we share the same characteristics - making us unlikely candidates as God's servants - servitude has no place in our dictionary - we love our independence, our individuality, our freedom and our pride. But it is exactly because of this self-exaltation that He has chosen us.

I am saying us - because, despite my excuses, my detours and the various paths I have taken, I know in my heart that it will eventually lead to where He wants me to be in my immediate future.

I can tell you how fortunate and blessed we are that we have been chosen -but I know that you've heard that before. So let me ask you this - what if we have not been chosen? What if Lolo and Lola were not faithful to him? What if all of these never happened, instead, we are just living ordinary lives - not having any calling from anyone, just making it day to day for no particular reason? No God to choose you, no grandparents to trail blaze - what would your life be like?

Imagine having a set of grandparents who have more money than they can spend - but do not have enough time to spend with you. Who spends a lot of time entertaining themselves - but would not know how to pray for you? Who can hosts parties for everyone - but would not bother to sit down for a heart to heart with you?

The list can go on - but the point is, we all are part of the generation that are chosen because of the hours that Lolo and Lola spent on their knees praying for all of us, one by one. You, especially, being the first born, have been chosen because He knows you even before you were a spark or a thought. I understand your hesitation - you feel like an accidental servant - but deep inside, you must know, that this is not a mistake, or an accident, the path has been designed just for you.

"For many are called, but few are chosen.." Matthew 22:14 (KJV)

Good Genes

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 01:37:46 GMT

Just a quick reminder that we do have good genes. You know, smart, cute, kind, compassionate, cute again...

Paquili

Sun, 31 Jul 2005 03:50:02 GMT

This was taken in Paquili (aka San Francisco) Bula, Camarines Sur on my Yoyo and Yaya's anniversary. It must have been their 50th wedding anniversary. My parents invited most everyone in our church - Camp Aguinaldo Ecumenical Chapel.

In the following picture - most are family, some friends from church. Sani, wala ka sa picture na ito. I remember how you used to run away and hide when it's picture taking time. I remember another copy of this picture where you were hiding behind Papa. I've always felt the same way about picture taking; look how simangot I am!

Maika's College Here I Come Party

Sun, 03 Jul 2005 12:44:16 GMT

Birthday Showers

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 03:07:41 GMT

Showers of blessings!

We finally got some rain.

Misha and I were in my High Chi class when it rained. We were at the stretching, yoga, meditation part when the instructor noticed the rain. We all got excited about it. Showers of blessings! You wish for it, but when it finally comes - you may be too busy and distracted to notice that it came.

For me personally - I know that this rain was my birthday gift. It's my own personal reminder of all the blessings that I get everyday - sometimes taken for granted.

This time - I did not overlook. I soaked it up, literally and figuratively.

Family Picture Circa 1974

Fri, 29 Apr 2005 00:48:32 GMT

Happy Birthday, Banong and Baning!

Sat, 23 Apr 2005 00:47:46 GMT

Today is my twin brothers birthday.

Weird ha? Sabay sila pinanganak sa mundo. I think, nauna si Banong (Ignacio) tapos ilang minuto lang ang nakaraan, dumating naman si Baning (Ernesto).

Hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa rin ma imagine kung papaano sila naalagaan ni Mama - wow! super busy siguro sya. Buti na lang at mahal nya kayo!

Sige, happy birthday na nga. May you both have many more joyful, blessed ones!

Count your Blessings!

Dreams of San Gabriel

Thu, 14 Apr 2005 11:49:44 GMT

Last night I had a dream.

I dreamt that I was in the old house in San Gabriel. It looked the same except for the fact that it was empty; literally and figuratively. I was in the living room - which by the way was just a big room with low ceilings; where before, the furniture were laid out to accomodate everyone - this was important since we have a big family. Mama and Papa enjoyed having everyone home.

In my dream, there were no furnitures; just a couple of empty boxes and a makeshift table where one could sit, if they wanted to. I stood where the bamboo sofa was once placed strategically, directly facing the door where you could see the gate from a distance. In my dream, I kept thinking about purchasing new bamboo furnitures. At the same time, I kept thinking about how it was just temporary anyway; that somehow we were moving on.

I woke up sad. Homesick. Empty. Thinking about this song..."there's just this empty space; there's nothing left here to remind me; just a memory of your face"...

Papa's Birthday

Sat, 02 Apr 2005 11:07:49 GMT

Today is Papa's birthday. 81, that's how old he would have been.

Happy birthday, Papa. I've kept you alive in my heart.

What I remember about lolo and lola

Wed, 23 Mar 2005 14:58:26 GMT

as i have to wake up early tomorrow morning.. i'll make this short and sweet and come back to it later.. eherm:

we had the privilege of living with them when we were kiddies, i remember watching tv with lola every afternoon, she would place this big banig in front of the tv and the five of us (together w/ ate chic, ryan n duckie) would watch shows like Yagit, Agila, and our favorite.. Batibot! :) Lola's the best babysitter ever coz she doesn't force us to sleep, unlike some titos and titas we know.. hehe!